Tell us about it! Share your stories about how your office or group cut waste on the Waste Free Challenge website.

City waste service or Private waste service?

One key issue to remember is that most larger commercial and office buildings don't get waste collection services from the City of Toronto. The City picks up waste from residents, public schools, some small businesses and some non-profit agencies. All other businesses - and even some high rise condos - actually pay for waste services from a private company.

Private waste services must provide separate recycling and garbage collection, but most don't pick up green bin organic waste, and they may collect different recyclables. Ask your building manager for more information.

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TEA’s Waste Free challenge is a project of the Toronto Environmental Alliance. The project is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario. The challenge is sponsored by CUPE Local 416, the union representing Toronto City workers who collect, sort, recycle and compost Toronto's residential waste.